Part of the Big Local plan the planter is shown taking shape to the soundtrack of Guild Blue, a song written by volunteer Bob Fletcher

He said: “The Park Ranger at Fishwick Nature Reserve, Terry Blackburn, became aware of the song and thought it would be a perfect soundtrack for the story of the planter which was created using bricks from Toppings who operated in the area over 100 years ago.”

Following the success of the Feast for Peace event which was held in Preston’s Flag Market during July of this year, Tom Wolfenden of Weird Wolf Media created and edited a film to bring awareness of this great event to everyone.

When we asked Tom what inspired him to make this short film he said: “I have been personally appalled and saddened by the rise in racism and hate crimes following the referendum results. So when Kay Johnson got in touch a few weeks before the event and explained what they planned to do, I was more than happy to volunteer my skills to help document such a positive response. It was really heartwarming on the day to see how successful it was and how people came out to support it; I’m thrilled by the great reaction to the film.

Tom’s film highlights can be viewed below:

Did you go to the Feast for Peace event and did you enjoy the video? Let us know in the comments below.

Jam Imani Rad will start a six month prison sentence from Monday (18 July) for breaching the terms of his tenancy with Community Gateway Housing Association.

Alex from South Ribble went down to see what it’s like in the garden which Jam has lovingly created in the shadow of the University of Central Lancashire campus during the past 11 years.

A judge ruled there were health and safety risks associated with Jam’s creation and the ceramic tiling inside the house – which is owned by the community housing association.

A statement at Jam’s garden

Nearly 6,000 people have signed a petition calling on Preston MP Mark Hendrick to step in and help reverse the decision.

The house and garden have been featured in Channel 4’s Britain’s Weirdest Council Houses.

A statement from Gateway said: “The Judge found that Mr Rad had carried out clear and repeated breaches of his tenancy agreement by carrying out extensive works to the communal garden and the interior of his property without permission. He also found that Mr Rad had breached the legal undertaking subsequently issued by the Court in March 2016 and agreed to by Mr Rad.

“CGA would like to clarify that the work carried out by Mr Rad is to a communal piece of land, not his own private garden. This was not only a breach of tenancy, but also the subject of complaints from other neighbours. CGA has been flexible and granted retrospective permission on several occasions, on the condition that no further work took place. However, Mr Rad has persisted in repeatedly breaching agreements, leaving CGA with no choice but to involve the courts again.

“Mr Rad’s disregard for what CGA and the courts have asked of him, and his persistence in carrying out further work, has led to a significant amount of damage to both the interior and exterior of the property, which will have to be paid for by income from other tenants; money that could be spent elsewhere and invested in our properties and communities. An example of this is cost of removing electrical works which do not meet appropriate safety standards and have not been certificated by a qualified electrician; this is potentially dangerous and puts not only Mr Rad but his neighbours at risk.

“To be clear, CGA is not against tenants making improvements to their homes, so long as they obtain permission in advance, comply with their tenancy agreement, and do not cause damage as a result.

“We are pleased that the Judge specifically noted in his findings that CGA has never ‘ordered’ Mr Rad to flatten, destroy, demolish or level the garden as has been claimed in the past, but has asked him to remove a number of items for which he had not gained permission, some of which have safety implications.”

Stars of YouTube are now making serious money online and a city shopping centre wants to see if we’ve got the new Tom Scott or Tanya Burr among us.

On offer to the winner is a professional photoshoot and a national ad campaign to promote their YouTube channel, as well as £1,000 cash and a trip for two to New York.

St George’s Shopping Centre general manager Andrew Stringer said: “The Get Your Vlog on UK is coming to Preston to find the next generation of YouTube talent. We want as many aspiring filmmakers as possible to get involved.

“This is a one off opportunity to showcase the amazing talent in our city and for one vlogger to win a career-changing prize. We wish all the entrants the best of luck.”

To take part online video creators need to submit their channel URL through the St George’s website.

Six entrants across six regions taking part (Norwich, Liverpool, Bristol, Basildon and Bury) will be selected before a nationa;l final with 12 entrants.

Over the course of three months, each of the six finalists will be given £100 produce monthly content to be hosted on their own YouTube channel, with the overall national winner selected by an independent panel of judges.

The winners will be selected by a panel of independent judges who will be looking for creativity, personality and the ability for the aspiring star to attract viewers.

What is a vlog?

YouTube allows anyone to upload videos and host a channel showcasing all their videos. Since the mid-2000s a number of channels covering science, make up and more have gone on to become established brands in their own right.

The presenter does a piece-to-camera during mainly short clips either explaining how to do something or giving their views. Vlogs are often filmed on webcams although increasingly higher video production values are being used.

The phrase vlog came about as many people see them as being a video-based version of a blog where people can publish and give their opinions.

Know anyone who has a vlog? Let us know in the comments below, or encourage them to enter

A man had resorted to using petrol to start a charcoal BBQ and accidentally set himself on fire.

A spokesman for the fire service said: “It’s a very volatile fuel, meaning that on exposure to air it quickly becomes a highly flammable vapour that surrounds the person using it – that’s why petrol stations have notices up saying no smoking.

“The inevitable happened and when the man struck a light the vapour ignited and inflicted severe burns to his hand and arm.”

]]>Watch Preston North End star in new Nike football adverthttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/06/watch-preston-north-end-star-in-new-nike-football-advert/
Thu, 09 Jun 2016 10:23:55 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=55457

Preston has a fleeting glimpse of big screen success in the new Nike football advert.

Cristiano Ronaldo and a young lad called Charlie Lee swap places after the former Manchester United player collides with the ballboy during an England versus Portgual game.

Charlie inherits Ronaldo’s silky skills and begins his rise to stardom during The Switch.

He makes his way from grassroots leagues in the Northern divisions through to making his professional debut with Preston North End.

Charlie Lee, centre, signs for PNE during the clip

He’s seen in the clip playing and guiding PNE to success before leaving to sign for Manchester City.

It is of course all nonsense, and he collides with Ronaldo during another England v Portgual game and they switch back.

But what would North End give for someone with that kind of footwork come next season?

Taking 11 months the police operation resulted in the arrest and conviction of 15 men for drug dealing in and around the Callon and Fishwick areas.

Detective Inspector Pete Danby who led the investigation said: “The sentences handed down to these men are the culmination of a long and complex investigation carried out by the Targeted Crime Unit.

“The investigation established that this gang were responsible for a major drugs supply network incorporating all levels of drug dealing, from street level up to cross-border trafficking over a sustained period of time.

The visit from the Leave campaign follows a visit last week from the Remain group, with former Labour leader Ed Miliband addressing the city. Prime Minister David Cameron also visited the Preston area in late February to launch the EU Referendum campaign.

What did you make of Boris’ speech? Have you made up your mind on the referendum? Let us know in the comments below

Preston Fire Station has sent two crews to the fires, which are understood to have been started deliberately.

Fire crews tackling the flames on the moors near Darwen

The Polaris unit from Preston is racing across the moors providing support. It carries 200 litres of water and has three hoses.

The Preston specialist team at work

The fires began around 4pm on Sunday (May 8.)

]]>Watch as Preston Docks swing back into life for GIANT transformer arrivalhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/05/watch-as-preston-docks-swing-back-into-life-for-giant-transformer-arrival/
Sat, 07 May 2016 06:00:18 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=54605

Preston’s Dock swung back into action on Friday afternoon with the arrival of an enormous transformer.

The large blue mobile crane has dwarfed all around it on the Docks since early in the week as it awaited its cargo.

Easy does it….

A number of Prestonians gathered to watch on Friday lunchtime as the 150 tonnes transformer was loaded from the River Trader. The boat came from Holland where the cargo had been moved as the River Trader has a special shallow hull to allow it up the Ribble.

The River Trader in action Pic: Andy Speariett

Bound for a power plant in Burnley the transformer will be moved on Sunday with a police escort planned.

It’s sat idle for days, but it got a good work out!

Have you seen the transformer or the crane? Let us know in the comments below

Ashley Gerrard, 29, of Bruce Street, St Helens, pulled the gun – which turned out to be an imitation firearm – during the incident in Ribbleton.

Preston Police had chased Gerrard’s car, a Ford Focus, from reports of a domestic assault at Mill Lane in Coppull.

As it arrived at an address in Ribbleton Avenue on December 22, Gerrard got out of the car.

Officers went to apprehend him and the 8mm black and silver imitation handgun was pulled on police.

Quick-thinking police officers tackled Gerrard and then pushed him into the back garden of the property where he clings to a gate.

Gerrard pulls the gun again but one officer tackles him to the ground and others pile in to restrain him.

Detective Sgt Mark Riley of Preston Police said: “These officers showed incredible bravery in detaining this man after having a firearm pointed at them and it was fortunate that no-one was seriously hurt.

“This incident just goes to show the sort of things that officers are faced with every day of their working lives.”

Ashley Gerrard and the imitation firearm recovered by police

Gerrard pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm, as well as separate charges of assault and dangerous driving.

Sparks runs from 12noon to 2pm, meeting point is the Harris Cafe and you can text 07837904921 for more information.

]]>Watch as Ben Ashworth and family open up on bowel cancer fighthttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/04/watch-as-ben-ashworth-and-family-open-up-on-bowel-cancer-fight/
Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:00:54 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=53634

A Preston family have told of how they face the struggle of trying to beat bowel cancer each day.

]]>Watch inside abandoned St Joseph’s Orphanage in Prestonhttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/01/watch-inside-abandoned-st-josephs-orphanage-in-preston/
Sun, 31 Jan 2016 21:00:58 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=51980
An abandoned orphanage in the centre of Preston has been pinpointed as one place to help ease the city’s housing crisis.

St Joseph’s Orphanage, in Mount Street, was also a former hospital, could provide uip to 80 apartments if it was converted.

Preston City Council has been handed £165,000 to try and encourage development at six sites in the city, including the orphanage.

The building, which has been empty for decades, has fallen into disrepair.

It has become a hotspot for urban explorers who want to see what lurks in the shadowy windows. The footage above comes from the Urban Ex Boys YouTube channel when they went inside the building in August last year.

On Friday, 22 January 2016, renowned international piano recitalist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet will be performing at the Preston Minster for the first time ever. This is a not to be missed opportunity for anyone who is either a fanatical follower of this extremely talented musician or simply has an insatiable appetite for virtuoso piano performance.

For a recitalist of such calibre and distinction to perform at the Preston Minster demonstrates that Preston has the ability to compete with many other towns and cities in the north west in providing top-notch culture and entertainment to everyone.

You can sample the delights of Bavouzet in the following video:

Don’t forget, there is only a week to go until this musical extravaganza being performed by Bavouzet will take place.

Will you go to see this wonderful, one-off performance at Preston Minster? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Watch: Is this the best response to the English Defence League saying Deepdale is a ‘no go’ area for non-Muslims?http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/01/watch-is-this-the-best-response-to-the-english-defence-league-saying-deepdale-is-a-no-go-area-for-non-muslims/
Fri, 15 Jan 2016 23:23:26 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=51532

Lynn Sime said: “I grew up in the heart of Deepdale it is a fantastic community with salt of the earth people from all backgrounds and I walk through it now with no problems at al it is as safe and welcoming as any area of Preston!”

The EDL has applied to Lancashire Police for permission to hold a static demonstration.

English Defence League members in Preston during a protest in 2010 Pic: pixel.eight

Their application for the demo has seen a backlash from religious and civic groups in the city.

A joint statement signed by hundreds of political and religious leaders has been shared thousands of times on social media.

What did you make of the clip? Do you think the EDL should be allowed to hold the demo? Will you join the counter demo? What’s your view? Let us know in the comments below

]]>Watch aerial footage of frosty Preston morning along the River Ribblehttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/01/watch-aerial-footage-of-frosty-preston-morning-along-the-river-ribble/
http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2016/01/watch-aerial-footage-of-frosty-preston-morning-along-the-river-ribble/#commentsFri, 15 Jan 2016 10:02:06 +0000http://www.blogpreston.co.uk/?p=51474
An icy morning has been captured across the River Ribble and countryside surrounding Preston.

Stephen Melling was up early with his drone to take some stunning aerial pictures of the Brockholes Nature Reserve and the Horseshoe bend.

]]>Just for fun: Three festive vintage videos of Preston in the 1950’s, 1980’s and 1990’shttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2015/12/just-for-fun-three-festive-vintage-videos-of-preston-in-the-1950s-1980s-and-1990s/
Thu, 24 Dec 2015 19:00:04 +0000http://blogpreston.co.uk/?p=50642In keeping with the festive season we thought it might be interesting to show a small selection of short Preston based videos to see how Christmas has been celebrated in three different decades, as compared with what we see and hear in the present day.

Over the years, Christmas seems to have developed from very simple times of family orientated celebrations to a more complex and demanding time where entertainment is king.

It is quite noticeable, that from the first film of a 1950’s family from the Plungington/Fulwood area in Preston, how the family was paramount in enjoying the festivities; changing into a more commercially based time as the decades moved on.

Preston Lancashire Plungington vintage 1950 Christmas Day:

The above cine film was taken on Christmas Day 1950 in Hillcrest Ave Fulwood, the two girls with their mother are walking down Black bull lane & Plungington Rd to the Opticians which was at the top of Adelphi St near the roundabout.

Clouds disco, Church Street, Preston 1984 – The Clouds All-Dayer:

It is a good bet that there will be some of you out there that might not only remember this one, but may be in one of the shots of this slideshow from yesteryear. Did the girls really have those massive hair do’s?

The video uploader says: “Photos taken whist at the Preston Clouds Xmas Alldayer 1984. This funktion happened every year and every year it was amazing, many thanks to the regular DJs and the funkers from all over. The tune of the night were many but my fave was “You make me Happy” Hi Tension. Others include: Don’t look any further, Say Yeah, Rain Forrest, I found lovin, When you look in my eyes, etc.”

Fianally, a video taken in St. George’s Shopping Centre in December 1995 by Mr George Turberfield. The Christmas decor is a far cry from what you would see today and the whole of the rotunda floor, where Costa Coffee is now, was covered with animated characters from various childrens nursery rhymes.

St. Georges Shopping Centre, Preston. Christmas 1995:

It’s hard to believe that St. George’s Shopping Centre has changed so much in twenty years – and what about the ‘cross over’ escalators, do you remember those? The singing Christmas tree was a little weird too. As for the Three Blind Mice animation with the farmers wife cutting their tails off with a carving knife, what can you say about that, other than, ‘it is Preston and it is December’.

Seriously though, perhaps St. George’s was a little more traditional then; it was certainly very Christmassy, don’t you think?

Do you know of any Christmas videos made in Preston over the years? Let us know in the comments below.

]]>Watch timelapse footage of Fylde Building being taken down at UCLan campushttp://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2015/12/watch-timelapse-footage-of-fylde-building-being-taken-down-at-uclan-campus/
Tue, 01 Dec 2015 12:00:01 +0000http://blogpreston.co.uk/?p=49887

The demolition of Fylde Building saw part of Preston’s skyline since the late 1960s disappear.

Many a memory was shared by those who attended Preston Polytechnic, which became the University of Central Lancashire, as the building came down piece by piece.

The university has released timelapse footage showing the demolition job in process, which took three months to complete.

The building is to be replaced by the Adelphi Square scheme, which includes a new landmark building and remodelling of the current roundabout.

UCLan’s interim vice-chancellor Professor Mike Thomas said: “The demolition of Fylde Building was a key aspect of our 10-year plan and marks the start of a transformative process that will benefit UCLan, the City and the communities and people of Preston.

“It really is an exciting point in the Masterplan project and with Fylde Building gone we are seeing a glimpse of what the area will look like in the future. Once the landscaping works are completed we hope people in Preston will join us in making imaginative use of this space before the next phase of work starts with the creation of the impressive new square.”

Do you have any memories of the Fylde Building? What do you think about the Adelphi Square scheme? Let us know in the comments below

Preston Minster was alive with the sound of Puccini and a packed audience on Monday evening of this week. The entire company, comprising of a complete orchestra conducted by Mike Hall, with 28 solo and chorus singers, along with several behind-the-scenes assistants, delivered a spectacular performance of which Puccini himself would have been immensely proud of.

The three principal soloists were Dan Woodhouse who took the part of the Evil Baron Scarpia, Peter Bowden as Mario Cavaradossi, Tosca’s lover and Jayne Woollam as the leading role of Tosca.

It was very apparent that the whole audience was without a doubt, thoroughly enthralled by this wonderful performance and it only remains to hope that it will not be long before Musica Lirica visit Preston again with another fabulous operatic presentation.

You can view a video below of the highlights from the Monday’s Tosca performance by Musica Lirica.

Did you attend the performance of Tosca on Monday? Let us know in the comments below.